Money Saving News for February 2009
- Brits attitude to savings accounts 'changed' - 5th February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for savings account quotes
Brits have changed their attitude to putting money away in savings accounts because of the economic downturn, research has revealed.
A poll conducted by smile.co.uk, the Co-operative Bank's internet banking subsidiary, showed that the average Brit put £1,882 into savings accounts last year, but is planning to increase this by more than 35 per cent, saving £2,605 in the year ahead.
Smile.co.uk's survey also revealed that attitudes to spending had been affected by the credit crunch, with 64 per cent of respondents claiming they have changed the way they view their outgoings recently... - Savings account rates 'falling like the snow' - 5th February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for savings accounts quotes
The rates of interest paid by banks to their savings account customers are falling as fast as the recent snow, according to one price comparison website.
Research by uSwitch.com revealed that in the space of 48 hours, 34 savings account providers reduced rates on 43 savings products by as much as 1.25 per cent... - Expert predicts further base rate cuts - 4th February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for savings account quotes
An expert from Barclays has predicted that the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) will announce a further cut to the base rate of interest later this week.
The MPC, which began its monthly meeting today, has already cut interest rates by three per cent since November, but the poor performance of key economic indicators has lead to speculation that further cuts may be needed... - Leeds Building Society launches new savings account - 4th February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for savings account quotes
The savings account and buy to let mortgage provider claims that the new offering, known as the Tracker ISA Plus, will compliment its existing range of savings products.
Kim Rebecchi, director of sales and marketing at Leeds Building Society, described the new ISA, which will pay a rate of interest 0.75 per cent above the Bank of England's base rate, as "a simple, straightforward" savings account... - Cheap car insurance claims double, says esure - 3rd February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for cheap car insurance quotes
Yesterday saw double the amount of customers claiming on their cheap car insurance for snow-related accidents as a normal day, according to esure.
The cheap car insurance provider said it recorded a 100 per cent increase in the number of snow-related incident claims to its call centres by 11:00.
Adrian Webb, a spokesperson for esure, said: "The situation has been made much worse because garages and rescue services are also overwhelmed [...] and they are having to make their way to broken-down cars in exactly the same terrible conditions."
With the heavy snowfall expecting to cause more disruption on roads and public transport today, esure recommended that those who must drive prepare themselves by taking warm clothes and a flask of hot drink in case they have to wait for help to arrive... - AA: Snow sees drivers claim on cheap car insurance - 3rd February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for cheap car insurance quotes
The heavy snowfall that has affected much of the UK over the last 24 hours has caused an increase in the numbers of motorists claiming on their cheap car insurance policies, according to the AA.
Simon Douglas, a spokesman for the AA, said that by 10:00, its car insurance call centres had received 30 per cent more claims enquiries than normal, a figure which increased to 50 per cent by mid-afternoon... - Nationwide announces new savings account rates - 3rd February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for savings account quotes
Nationwide Building Society has announced changes to the rates it offers on some of its savings accounts, which will come into effect immediately.
The building society's new rates, which affect its offshore accounts, are all reductions on the previous rates it offered, meaning that Nationwide customers will may earn less from their savings account deposits... - "Driving under the influenza" is more dangerous, says insurer - 2nd February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for cheap car insurance quotes
Motorists who get behind the wheel when suffering from a cold or the flu may have their judgement impaired which can make driving more dangerous according to research released today.
The study, conducted by Lloyds TSB, shows that "driving under the influenza" can impair a motorist's ability to make decisions by as much as 11 per cent, making it equivalent to downing a double whisky before getting behind the wheel... - Drivers downsize to save on car insurance - 2nd February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for cheap car insurance quotes
In a bid to save money during the credit crunch, motorists have been downsizing their cars in order to qualify for cheap car insurance, a new survey has revealed.
The poll, published by the cheap car insurance provider LV=, revealed that nearly one in five drivers has sold their car and bought a smaller one, with 29 per cent of them citing cheaper insurance premiums as their primary motivation... - Bob Dylan to advertise Co-operative Bank - 2nd February, 2009
Prudent Minds - number 1 for savings account quotes
Bob Dylan, the folk-rock singer and anti-establishment icon, has given permission for one of his best-known songs to be used in an advertising campaign for the Co-operative Bank.
The bank, which bases its provision of cheap loans, buy to let mortgages and savings accounts on a strict ethical screening policy, has been granted permission to use the singer's 1963 classic Blowin' in the Wind...